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Italian Economic Development Minister resigns amid allegations of conflict of interest

Xinhua, April 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Italian Economic Development Minister Federica Guidi resigned late on Thursday amid allegations of conflict of interest over her partner who manages two oil-sector companies, local media said.

"I am absolutely certain of my good faith and of the fair dealing of my work. I think, however, that it is necessary, as a matter of political expediency, to hand in my resignation from minister," Guidi wrote in a letter reportedly addressed to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

"These have been two years of wonderful work together. I will continue as a citizen and as an entrepreneur to work for the good of our wonderful country," the 46-year-old minister added.

Her partner Gianluca Gemelli was reportedly being investigated for corruption conspiracy and claiming influence over a public official in order to obtain bribes.

Wiretapped calls showed on Thursday that Guidi had talked with Gemelli about a favorable amendment of the government affecting the development of an oil field in Basilicata region, southern Italy.

Shortly after the conversation with Guidi, Gemelli phoned an associate to give him "some good news."

After learning about the wiretapped calls, various lawmakers of different political colors called for the minister to resign.

"If what we are reading about Guidi and her calls with her partner, in which the minister reassures him on the inclusion of amendments in December 2014 that apparently clearly favored his companies, is true, it would be clear to everyone that we are faced with a case in which the government cannot fail to clarify," Alessandro Cattaneo, a government opponent, said in a statement.

Guidi, a former chair of the young entrepreneurs of Confindustria, Italy's leading industrial employers association, became Italy's economic development minister on Feb. 22, 2014, when the Renzi government was sworn in as the youngest ever in record with half of the ministers being women. Endit